New Comedies Announced For BBC Two

Three new comedy sitcoms have been commissioned for BBC Two as part of the channel's Landmark Sitcom Season.

Airing as part of the 'New on Two' strand next month, details have been announced for sitcoms 'Our Ex Wife', 'We The Jury', and 'The Coopers Vs The Rest'.

'Our Ex Wife' stars Robert Webb as divorcee Jack who has finally found happiness with fiancée Sara (Melanie Lynskey). However, his unhinged ex-wife and mother of his kids, Hillary (Victoria Hamilton) is determined to destroy it. Jack wants Hillary out of their lives, but Sara insists on building a relationship with her for the sake of children Ava (Holly Earl) and Max (Archie Lyndhurst). Peter Egan guest stars as Jack's father George.

The series is created and written by Julie Thacker Scully, and directed by Ben Taylor. It is developed and produced by James Farrell and the executive producers for BBC Studios are Stephen McCrum and Chris Sussman.

'We The Jury' is a comedy about jury duty, something William has dreamt of doing his whole life. When he finally lands a jury gig, however, it turns out to be a murder trial. The jury are a mismatched collection of enthusiastic fools, inconsiderate bullies and self-obsessed weirdos who are constantly getting distracted from the case. Then there is an elated judge overseeing her final trial...

Ed Easton portrays William, and he is joined by fellow jurors Sophie Thompson, Diane Morgan, Oliver Maltman, David Schaal, Kenneth Collard, Kae Alexander, Vivienne Acheampong and Samson Kayo. The judge is played by Maggie Steed and the defendant by Ricky Champ. Kerry Howard also stars.

Written by stand-up comedian James Acaster, We The Jury is directed by Ben Taylor, produced by Josh Cole and the executive producers are Kenton Allen and Saurabh Kakkar for Big Talk Productions.

In 'The Coopers Vs The Rest', Tess (played by Tanya Franks), was determined to save as many children from a similar childhood to hers. Alongside with her husband Toby (Paterson Joseph), she now divides just about enough money and nowhere near enough time between their three adopted children, Frankie (Erin Kellyman), Alisha (India Brown) and Charlie (Joseph West).

Tess tries to increase Charlie's popularity by gate-crashing his classmate's 8th birthday party, while, at home, Toby has to deal with Alisha's sudden interest in religion.

Written by award-winning writer (and adoptee) Andy Wolton, The Coopers Vs The Rest is produced by BBC Studios and directed by Declan Lowney. Victoria Lloyd is the producer, with Stephen McCrum as executive producer.

Commenting on the commissions, Shane Allen, Controller, Comedy Commissioning, BBC, said: "These three brand new sitcom specials are the fresh out of the oven part of our landmark sitcom season. Underpinning BBC Two's comedy reputation for the eclectic and diverse, they are sharply written and terrifically cast treats with a very contemporary heart to them, except in the case of We The Jury which is just infectiously and joyfully daft."

'Our Ex Wife', 'We The Jury' and 'The Coopers Vs The Rest' will air alongside previously announced 'Home From Home' and 'Motherland'. The BBC Landmark Sitcom Season commences next month.

Image: We The Jury, courtesy of BBC Media Centre.

www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre

(JP/CD)